'All downside, no upside' - Councils clash over Dunsink 18,500 home project

Dublin city councillors are pushing for a joint committee with Fingal County Council to address community concerns - from traffic and infrastructure strain to biodiversity loss - surrounding the contentious 18,500-home Dunsink City Quarter development

Dublin City Council hope to form a joint committee with Fingal County Council to consider the impact of the Dunsink development, which aims to create a new suburb with up to 18,500 homes .

The plan for the new Dunsink City Quarter has been quite controversial in Finglas , with locals fearing the impact the development will have on traffic, biodiversity, and already stretched infrastructure. DCC councillors from the North West Area have spoken about being blindsided by the plans and say that proper consideration for the impact on their communities was not given.

A motion tabled by Fianna Fail Cllr Keith Connolly at last week’s North West Area Committee meeting requested the establishment of a joint committee to consider how it will affect the area of Finglas that falls outside Fingal County Council’s remit. “Under Section 52 of the Local Government Act 2001, two or more local authorities can, by resolution, jointly establish a joint committee to consider and advise on matters affecting both areas and this can extend to delegated functions if agreed,” Cllr Connolly’s motion stated.

The motion was agreed by Dublin city councillors who are now waiting on confirmation from Fingal County Council for its potential formation. North West Area Manager Jackie O’Reilly explained that DCC is simply “just another stakeholder” in the development process and that all they can do from their side is make their own submission to outlined concerns as part of the public consultation process which ends on Friday.

North West councillors have called for the consultation period to be extended but this was not agreed to by Fingal County Council as a response issued to councillors stated "extending the consultation period would impact the statutory programme for subsequent stages of the Urban Area Plan process". Cllr Reddy responded that their central concerns were not being addressed in the rationale behind the rejection, which was that the "statutory opportunity for public participation" had been publicly advertised.

View 3 Images Proposed map for the Dunsink City Quarter (Image: Fingal County Council)

"I do not think it addresses the central concern we raised - there was practically no meaningful engagement with residents or elected representatives on the Finglas side of the county boundary before the consultation," Cllr Reddy said in a correspondence with the Director of Planning & Development Department in Fingal County Council.

"Although the documents were made available in Finglas Library and the Area Office after 10th July, this is not the same as actively informing or engaging the local community. No public information event was held in Finglas and the event in Blanchardstown was not a substitute for residents directly affected on the Dublin City side.

"We requested a briefing in March, but Dublin City councillors were not briefed until 10 July, three weeks after the consultation opened. This meant we had very few answers when constituents had questions. Many residents in Finglas only became aware of the scale and detail of the proposals in the final weeks of the process.

"As set out in our letter, we recognise that there are statutory timelines involved. That is why we asked Fingal County Council to extend or formally reopen the consultation, including by re-advertising it and restarting the process if that is what is legally required. The fact that an extension would affect the current programme does not, in itself, explain why this cannot be done. Given the scale of the plan and its impact on roads, services and infrastructure in Finglas, we are asking the Council to reconsider its position."

Social Democrats Cllr Mary Callaghan expressed frustration that, despite representing constituents directly affected by the development, “we have absolutely no power to do anything about it”.

She pointed out that the development will deliver thousands of homes but “we can’t allocate anyone on our housing list to those apartments” as it is a Fingal County Council development. “We are getting all of the downsides, but we’re not getting the upside,” she said.

Independent Cllr Gavin Pepper called for “collaboration from the two councils,” stating that the DCC side is mainly being affected “badly” and there has been significant outrage from those in Finglas who feel like they have left out of the overall discussion. “They weren’t being engaged with at all and that’s been seen where the backlash comes to councillors,” he said.

“I know it’s Fingal land but they should be willing to engage because it affects us. It will lead to protests and you don't want that to happen. You want them to engage with communities to solve the problems.”

Ballymun-Finglas Councillor Leslie Kane took to social media with a video featuring herself and Sinn Féin colleague Dessie Ellis TD encouraging those affected to participate in the consultation process. She highlighted the biodiversity concerns in areas like Scribblestown Lane and Tolka Valley Park that will be impacted by the development.

“Why do we have to choose between homes and places like this?” she said. “We need to protect beautiful spaces like this.”

Deputy Ellis spoke about nature being impacted, such as bats, otters, owls, as well as an historic farmhouse on Scribblestown Lane. Cllr Kane said “we are asking the council to protect what is here, but also deliver homes”.

“We need proper development. Properly led and properly adapted,” Deputy Ellis said, stating it is important to consider concerns around the impact large apartment blocks and high density homes will have.

Cllr Kane said that Finglas is already “pressed for community and public services”. She stressed “we need to make sure they are put in place before this development goes ahead”.

When contacted regarding biodiversity concerns and the Dunsink City Quarter, a spokesperson from Fingal County Council said: “Fingal County Council recognises the importance of the natural environment within the Dunsink area, including its proximity to the Tolka Valley and is committed to ensuring that biodiversity considerations remain central to future planning and development proposals.

“The Draft Dunsink Urban Area Plan is accompanied by a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report and a Natura Impact Report, which assess the potential environmental effects of implementing the plan and identify measures to avoid, reduce and mitigate any adverse impacts on the environment, including biodiversity, habitats and ecological networks.

“The plan also includes proposals for significant new green infrastructure, habitat creation and the development of a Regional Park and Recreational Hub, with the objective of enhancing biodiversity and creating new opportunities for nature conservation and public access to green space.

“Importantly, the Draft Urban Area Plan does not in itself grant permission for development. Any future development proposals will be subject to separate planning applications and statutory approval processes. At that stage, detailed site-specific environmental assessments will be required and the potential impacts on biodiversity, habitats, wildlife corridors and surrounding natural assets, including the Tolka Valley, will be fully assessed and addressed through the planning process.

“Through this approach, Fingal County Council aims not only to protect existing environmental assets but also to deliver long-term biodiversity enhancement, ecological connectivity and high-quality green spaces for existing and future communities.”

Public consultation submissions on the Urban Area Plan for the Dunsink City Quarter must be submitted by 5pm on Friday, July 31.

This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

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